Threshing



June 18, 1935. aamcKERsHAM 1 THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR tamer-[T lV/cl erjham ATTORNEYS 2,005,212 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT'OR f/mert'. W/ckerJ/mm June 18, 1935.

E. E. WICKERSHAM THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 June 18, 1935. I

E. E. WICKERSHAM THRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 n n u nD n INVENT g/marflV/c M m muurmn m 2 M A June 1935. E. E. WICKERSHAMTHRESHING Filed Jan. 14, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIE :1 E

I INVENIOR B 47/7105 W/c (rem/70m ATTORNEYS Patented June 18,1935 lgaff: I

, :'2,oo5,i2 Y

- ,I W I G v n Elmer E. Wickersham, Stockton; Califl, assignor 1' bymesne, assignments, to Caterpillar Tractor i 00., San Leandro, Calit, acorporation of Cali fornia' I Application Jammy 14, 1928, Serial No.246,697 L a ,z cmi -2 r a My invention relates;to.machin'es forthreshing Fig. 4 is a transverse section; the -plane of sec grain andisespecially: related to that type of tion being, taken online 4-4 ofFig. -2. machine ordinarilytermeda combined harvester- Fig.- 5 is asimilar. transverse section; the plane thresher, including a headerportion for cutting of section being indicated by line ie-i:ofFig.-'2.l,1

5 the grain and a separator portion for threshing In itspreferred form,the machine of rmy ine 5 the grain, I w vention preferably includes aseparator body An object-of my invention is1to provide a madeoi atubular shell ofcorrugated metaL- 1 threshing" machine of light butsturdy con- I While the machine is'well' adapted for use in struction; Iv a wide variety of circumstanceszand while/its Another object-ofany-"invention is to'provide construction is susceptible to numerousvariations ".10 a unitary body for the separator portion in order toadapt it to particular circumstances, itis'parto eliminate the largeamount of machineryylabor ticularly' applicable toruse in cuttingstanding I l I and fitting necessary toassembie-the body porai and th sg the in ker e f om he, tion 0! threshing machines as atpresent-constraw; -I havetherefore constructed, according u structed. vI l 3 to one aspectioi myinventiorha light,,strong 5- A further objector my invention ,isto provide machine I cutting a threshing S and nametalbodysumciently strong toibe'seli-suppo'rt grain. 1 i i: ,r mgand'at thesame time to be or materially less f I p e erab y p v 5a pa rof s pp t weight than a comparable body built according' wheels-e and' di -a me tby an D to the present methods, 1 a a axle 8 preferablyof'tubularcross section; Rest 2 'An'hddi ional objectof my invention isto de-' ing on the axle 8 are a pair of balance beams a sign a threshingmachine in which the separator nd Hi of: the usual kind extending to theIrear portion is substantially balanced on its support- O the 9316i w regthey are p v ,w aa t pigl e I Y counterweight l2 to-balance'aheader.It- This; i'

I A rurther object ormy invention is toprovide h e customarily comprissa p n d a a bin d harvgstef-th eghef w i .c be spout it over whichthe'draper is extended .:,'1 l ic entirely' supported bya single'pairoIwheels. leading edge of the-header i i ypr9- An dit object o my n ti n 5t m. vided with a sickle bar, not shown,- driven by -a prove-'generallythe header portion of ac'ombined Suitable shaft "-1 sh extends ;,8 r

hawestepthreshertorduce itscbst of, ann cluster l8 driveneby a tumblervshaft. in the'. 3

ture and to afford a construction which iswell customary Preferably thee d able to withstand the jolts and 'jarstowhichsuch is balanced on theW andmiconvenientmode machinery is customarilysubjected. I v "ofconstruction is tosituate the-balance beams My invention ossesses, otherY dvantageous d 0 on sides ir s port n features, some of which withlthetoregoingwill Wheel: t 1 I beset forth at lengthiin the following'descripe A150 e axle-.3 h O Y- Q t tion'whereI shall outline'inIull-thatiorm of the threshing machine-1 e bodies r t ma threshingmachine or my inventiomwhichIhave arily made of IramBWOrk of woodeorwfyironv selected for illustratio n th drawings g co shapes which issuitably covered with sheet metal 4O panying and forming part or thepresent specifi and require frame t Support 4 cation; In said drawings Ihave shown one form them 011 the wh ls. y require pe J of threshingmachine embodying my invention, and a considerable amount oficlosefitting and but it'is to be understood that I do notlirnit'myhand labnas mb s', a d e pr e to w r self'to'such form since the invention,asset forth 10058 under he jarring and joltin ww h' in the-claims, maybe embodied in apluralit'y of machine is subject in use; Due to thelarge 45 forms. 7 i e .number of braces-and struts requisite in the "Insaid drawings: e r ordinary'method of constructiom'the body for Fig.leis aplan view of a combinedharvester-z the" separator is ofconsiderable weight, is costly thresher constructed according to'myinvention, to transport; andrequires a large amount of Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section" through the power to propel "'n the field;

threshing machine, the plane of section being To overcome these,difllculties 'and to provide indicated'by ne 2 2 or Fig-ia a body whichis'at' once light and rigid, I pret-v Fi'gfi'3 is a transverse sectionthrough the erably form the body of a tubular shell made 7 V threshingmachine or my invention, the plane of a of corrugated metal. -It ispossib'le to make the section beingindicatedby line 3-3 01 Fig. 2. shellof a smooth sheet, but then the thickness 'of metal requisite for arigid body is such that the weight is-e'xcessive. For that reason, Ipreferably use metal of light section and corrugate it in order toobtain the requisite strength. My corrugated metal shell 2| is not onlylight, but is possessed of sufficient inherent rigidity to preclude anyobjectionable flexing in the body.

The shell 2| is preferably mounted by passing the axle .6transverselytherethrough and usually is situatedsothat when it isprovided with its separating machinery the assembly approximatelybalances on the axle 8. To reenforce the points I at whichthe axle 6passes through the shell 2|, I

preferably secure pads 22 and 23 to the shell and form them to encompassthe axle 9. Preferably the pads are secured against rotation on the axlebut the separator body is'free to rock about the axis of the wheels6 and1 by rocking with the axle. By this construction no separate main frameis necessary; the sheet metal body serves both as a main frame and as anenclosure and support for the threshing and sep-' arating mechanisms. I

The leading end of the shell 2| isrpreferably closed by a head usually'of flanged metal fitting withinthe open end andsuitably secured inplace, as by rivets. Means are provided for drawing the combinedharvester-thresher of my invention over a field and these means usually"comprise a-draft attachment 28 secured to the lower end of shell 2| andpreferably engage-able by-a tra'ctor not shown. Intermediate the ends Yof the shell and spaced from the head 24 is a transverse wallor bulkhead26 also preferably of metal and suitable secured to the'zshell. Thisbulkhead is provided with anaperture 21 tore: ceive portions oftheseparator,mechanism, as will'be described later, andis effectivelysituate adjacent the axle 6 to assist in stiffening the body 2| near itspoint of 'support.'.-

5 Intermediate the head 24jand the bulkhead 26 is agenerally.rectangular aperture 2.9 out in one side of the shell 2| to receive thespout l6 of the header. A jigger-board of the usualkind can beprovidedJat the lower margin of the aperture 29 .if-desired, butordinarily the, corrugated shell-2| is amply strong and rigid to supportone end of the spout:|6.

{Within the shell'2l, I preferably mount suitable' separating:mechanism. Thus the shell not only forms a'housing or enclosure for theseparatingmechanism, but it also provides a unitary support" therefor.,Extending horizontally. across the shell 2| andlying just below. theaperture 29 isa feeder-1| to receive'grain from the spout l6. As 'l's'customary, this feeder. comprises a belt,

. usually apair of chains on which suitable transverse sticks 32 areaffixed, runningabout drums 33 and rat each end. Belowthe feeder,Ipreferably provide'a sheet 36 of metal to catch any grain kernels whichmight possibly become dislodged at this early stage in the separatingproc- Just beyond the termination of the feeder and preferably operatingthrough the aperture 21 in bulkhead 26 is a cylinder 31;. This cylinderpref= erably is arranged with its axis substantially transverse oftheshell 2| and approximately in vertical alinement with the axle 8.Comprised in the cylinder is a spindle 38 therefor preferably journaledinpads 39 and 49 fastened directly to the walls of the shell sothat theentire weight of the cylinder fl'issupported directly by the shell. Toaid in guiding grain brought inby the feeder 3| intothe cylinder 31,metal cheeks 42 and 43 preferably extend from the sides of the shell 2|along the sides of the cylinders. As a further aid in feeding the graininto the cylinder, 8, beater 44 of the usual type is journaled withinthe shell 2| slightly above the feeder and in advance of the cylinder31.

Cooperating with the cylinder is a concave 46 of the customary kindwhich is supported within the shell 2|. Preferably the concave isvertically adjustable to afford a regulation in the separation of thegrain kernels from the straw. In operation, the cylinder 31 is rapidlyrevolved and discharges the grain in substantially a tangentialdirection upwardly toward the top of the shell 2|. The grain strawemerges from the cylinder in a more or less fluffy, light mass and themass is further separated and dispersed by a beater 41, similar to oneunit of the conventional picker, which is mounted on a central shaft 46journaled directly in the shell 2| At asuitable point in the length ofthe shell, a baffle 49 is preferably suspended to halt the upwardprogress of the grain and straw and to permit it to fall gravitally ontoa straw walker 5|.

Thev straw walker preferably comprises a plurality of parallel strips 52having serrations 53 on their. upper edges. These strips at theirleading ends are provided with eccentric straps 54 encompassingeccentrics 55 disposed in varying angular relation on the drive shaft51. The trailing ends of the strips 52 are mounted for horizontaloscillation on a rod 58 secured to hangers 59 at either side of theshell. Upon rotation of the drive shaft 51, the eccentrics 54 afford arotary motion of the leading ends of the strip 52 and a reciprocatingmotion of the trailing ends thereof. Due to the varied angularrelationship of the eccentrics 55, not all of the strips approach theirtopmost positions at the same time and action is produced which ,impelstowardthe rear of: the shell the straw falling on the straw walker.Preferably the strips 52 comprised in the straw walker are notsufficiently numerous to extend entirely acrossthe shell 2| but at theirsides lie adjacent walls 6| and 62 providedby a separate insert 69suitably secured to the walls of the shell and slopinggenerally downwardto a central trough 64 at the lowermost portion of the shell 2|.

Means arev provided for cleaning the grain kernels shaken and separatedfrom the straw. To suitable ones of the strips 52, a screen 66 issecured and partakes of the motion of those strips. Grain kernelspassing through the fluffy straw on the straw-walkerlodge on the screen66 and, due to the vibrating motion of the screen in'consonance withthevmotion of the strips 52 to which the screen is attached, usuallydrop through the screen onto the insert 63 down which they passgravitally to the central longitudinal trough 64. Weeds and undesirableshort lengths of straw which will not pass through the screen 66discharge over the trailing end thereof and pass out of the machinethrough the open rear end of the shell 2|. The straw from which thegrain kernels have been removed and which has been sufficiently agitatedby the straw walker is also discharged from the machine through the openend of the shell 2|.

The grain which accumulates in the trough 64 is propelled by a grainauger 61 toward the rear ofthe shell 2| where it falls into the casing.of a cross auger 69 leading to an elevator 1|. The elevator extendsalong the outside of shell 2| into the upper part ofa bulk grain bin 12.

pass over the having ends with arcuate terminations to seat on the upperportion of the shell 2I. ,The grain discharged by the elevator II intothe bulk grain bin isfirst distributed by a cross auger 13 extendingtransversely of the bin. The housing ll. of the cross auger is providedwith an aper-.

ture 16 opening onto the initial end of a recleaner screen II, which ispreferably supported on pivots I8 and I9 secured to the walls of thebulk grain bin I2 and usually is'oscillated'by a lever 8| connected to asuitable crank pin'82. Grain kernels which, fall "on the recleaner'screen are violently agitated while they progress gra'vitally 'towardthe lower endF'thereof. Suitable kernels'pass through the'recle'anerscreen and fall, ,into ,a}hOpper .83 the bottom ofiwhichis formed by asheet metal plate 84 slopingjtoward a discharge? spout 86 extendingover] wheel 1. Arranged under, the spout 8B is usually as'ack ingplatform 81 mounted on the axle 8i and leading to a sacking chute"affording a convenient T means for releasing sacksof grain from the har-Grain'which has not been completely threshed, and undesired seeds whichwere. not separated end of the reclean'er screen 11 to "fall gravitally,down either one of the [two chutes 89 and Q0substantiallyspanning'thebeater 44 and opening onto sheets 92 and S3guardingthe two sides'of the feeder 3|.) Such grain kernels are againpassed through, the threshing operation and eventually are eitherdischarged as unfit or are lodged inthe hopper 83 of the the grain bymeans 'of air bulk grain bin. ,7 I

It is desirable to assistin the separation of erably are, furnished by ablower |Il| conveniently mounted exteriorlyof the shell 2| and securedthereto by a saddle I02. An extension of thecylinder spindle 38 passesthrough the blower IOI and serves to drive the impeller thereof,not'shownfi' An airduct I03 diverges tangentialyjfiom; the casing of,the blower IN and leadsintoa'transverse pipe. I04 extending partway'through' the shell 2|." 'llhepipe for' a por-i tion of itscircumference is flared into a'throat I06 in whichis located aregulating butterfly I01 to control the eiilux of air. Inasmuch as thethroat extends substantially entirely across the shell 2| and directsthe air in an upward direction through the screen 66 and past the beater41, it assists materially in keeping the grain undergoing separation inalight, fluffy condition anismas .well as the header mechanism. An

engine H3, preferably of the usual internalcombustion type, is suitablymounted on the axle 8. Preferably this engine is slightly rotat ablearound the axle for adjustment of the driving chain Ill which connectsit with a gear H6 at the end of the cylinder and blower spindle 38. Alsoon the spindle 38 and preferably interposed between the blower casing INand blasts and these prefrnounted'on said the blower the shell 2| is asprocket |I1 meshing with a drive chain. I I8 in engagement with asprocket H9 secured to the shaft I2I of the beater 44. A sprocket I22similar to sprocket H9 drives a chain I23 passing in turn oyer sprocketson the shaft of the feeder 3|, on the shaft I24 for transmittingthedrive to the gear nest I8, on the shaft 51 which actuates the strawwalker eccentric, on the shaft 48 of the beaterllyaround an I idler I26and back to the sprocketl22; Anfaux' iliary chain I21 is inengagementwith a second sprocket on the shaft 51 and mesheswith a sprocket I28ona' cross shaft I29 connected by bevel gears I3Il'to the longitudinalgrain auger 81. The trailing end of the auger'likew'isemeshes throughbevel gears I32 with'a cross shaft I33 at theend of the shell 2| anddrives the elevator-II through a short chain 134'. At the upper end ofthe elevator, there is provided a chain I drive extending from the upperelevator shaft to the shaft of the distributing auger 13 and a secondchain I31 for driving'the'crank disc 82.

It will be appreciated'that inaccordance with my invention a combinedvharvester-thresher is provided in which the threshing machine ischaracterized by'a tubular corrugated metal body of extremelylightweight andrigid non-yielding construction forming not onlyahousing'and support for the separating mechanism but also serving asthe main-frame of 'the machine." With this construction I am enabled todispense with a large number of parts necessary in the usual body andframe construction and am enabled to effect economies in materialandmanufacture.

A'compact arrangement is provided, as is evidenced by'the simple drivemechanism-employed,

and inasmuch as the assemblyprovided' by: the

mechanism is substantially balancedon the supporting axle, itis'necess'ai'y to provide only the minimum number of groundcontactingwheels,. thus further reducing the cost ofmanufacture andincreasing thesimplicity.

I claim: .1..A thresher ing wheels ons assembly on said axle.

. 2. A thresher comprising a tubular metal shell,

v comprising a tubular shell, an axle passing through said shell, apairof supportaid axle and separating mechanism shell substantially tobalance the separator body and the associated separating V reinforcingpads on opposite sides of said shell;;.

and supporting wheels on said axle. V 3. A thresher comprisinga'tubular, metal body,

a head closing one end of said body, a bulkhead spaced from said headand extending across said body, said body having an aperture thereinintermediate said head and said bulkhead, and separating mechanismwithin said body adapted to receive grain through said aperture anddischarge the straw therefrom through the open end' of said body, saidmechanism including a cylinder adjacent said bulkhead.

4. A thresh-er comprising a tubular, metal shell, 2

a head closing one end of said shell, a bulkhead bracing said shell andspaced from said head, an axle passing through said' shell adjacent saidbulkhead, supporting wheels on said axle, and separating mechanismwithin said shell, said mechanism through an opening in said bulkhead.

5. In a harvester-thresher a sole support and housing for threshingmechanism consisting of a single member. v

6. In a thresher, a main frame consisting ofa including a cylinderoperating an axle passing through said pads and said shell, I

sheet of material, and threshing mechanism supported on said frame.

'7. In a thresher, acne-piece main frame, and threshing mechanismenclosed by said frame.

8. In a thresher, a tubular, main frame, threshing and separatingmechanism therein, a bin thereon, and a conveyor to transport grain fromsaid mechanism to said'bin. r Y I 9, In a combined harvester-thresher, aonepiece bodyhaving an aperture in the side thereof, a headercommunicating with said aperture, threshing mechanismenclosed in andsupported bysaid body, a wheel-supported axle secured to said body, anda draft attachment secured to said body. I a k 10. In a thresher, a mainframe consistingof a'sheet of material,v and threshing mechanismsupportedand enclosed by said frame. Y

11. In a threshing machine, a wheeled axle, a shell constituting thesole frame of the machine, threshing mechanism mounted within andsupported by said shell, and means for positioning theshellon the axlein a position in which the shell is substantially balanced about theaxle.

1 2. Ina. threshing machine, a wheeled axle, a unitary sheet metal shellmember constituting thesol'e frame of the machine, threshing mechanismmounted within and supported by said shell, and means for positioningthe shell on the axle in a position invwhich theshell is substantiallybalanced about the axle.

' 131 In a thresher, a unitary sheet metal shell member, an axle,meansfor positioning the shell ina balanced position on the axle, and agrain bin mounted above the axle and upon the shell to preserve thebalance of the shell.

14. In a threshing machine, a wheeled axle, a. unitary sheet metal shellmember constituting the sole frame of the machine, threshing mechanismmounted within and supported by said shell, and means for positioningthe shell' on the axle.

15. In a mobile thresher, a main supporting frame consisting essentiallyof a substantially rigid unitary and hollow structure, threshermechanism enclosed and supported by said structure, and ground engagingmembers carried by said structure, whereby stresses caused by movementof the device over rough ground and by operation of said mechanism aretransmitted to and taken up by said main supp t frame structure.

16. In a mobile thresher, a main supporting frame consisting essentiallyof a substantially rigid unitary and hollow structure, threshermechanism enclosed and supported by said structure, ground engagingmembers carried by said structure, and a grain bin supported on saidstructure and over the ground engaging members.

17. In a threshing machine, a substantially rigid metallic shellconstituting both the main supporting frame of the machine, and thehousing and support for threshing mechanism.

18. In a mobile threshing machine, a combined threshing mechanismhousing and main supporting frame consisting essentially of asubstantially rigid metallic shell, ground engaging members carried bysaid shell, and threshing mechanism within and supported by said shell.19. In a mobile thresher, a main supporting frame consisting essentiallyof a substantially rigid unitary and hollow structure of sheet metal,thresher mechanism enclosed and supported by said structure, said frameconstituting substantially the sole support for said mechanism, andground engaging members directly. carried by said :tructure, wherebystresses caused by movement of the device over rough ground and byoperation of said mechanism are transmitted to an taken up by said mainsupporting frame structure. I i

20. In a mobile thresher,-a substantially rigid hollow structure ofsheet metal, thresher mechanismenclosed and supported by said structure,said structure constituting both the main supporting frame of themachine and substantially the sole support for said mechanism, groundengaging members, and means serving solely toconnect said groundengaging members to said main supporting frame structure.

nmviaa E. WICKERSHAM.

